Seoul: South Korea’s Constitutional Court has ruled that a law requiring online contributors to use their real names is unconstitutional because it undermines free speech.
The eight judges made the unanimous ruling on Thursday.
Reuters
The online naming law was introduced five years ago in the belief that using real names online would reduce libel, the spread of false rumors and abusive comments in one of the world’s most wired countries.
The court said the law discouraged people from voicing opinions out of concern they would be punished. The court said it found no proof that the law helped decrease libel or the spread of rumors and false information.
Critics also said the law helped contribute to identity theft.
AP
